Edibles 101: Types of THC Edibles
Marijuana edibles are a favorite at our dispensaries, because they offer a huge selection of THC-infused food and drink to fit just about any palate. From sugary sweet to unique and salty, there’s more variety on the edible market than ever before. It’s enough to make your head spin, but that’s why we’re here.
In this guide, we’ll answer the questions:
- What Are Marijuana Edibles?
- How Do Edibles Work?
- How Long Does It Take For Marijuana Edibles To Work?
- What Are The Different Types Of Edibles?
- How Much THC Is In Edibles?
- Cannabis Edibles Vs Flower: How Are They Different?
- Marijuana Edible FAQs
What Are Marijuana Edibles
Cannabis edibles are food or drink products infused with cannabinoids, most commonly THC, that can trigger psychoactive effects when consumed. There are many types of edibles, including gummies, baked goods, mints, lozenges, drinks, and more. The most common cannabinoid found in edibles is THC, but you can also purchase products that are infused with CBD, CBN, and other compounds from the cannabis plant.
Dispensaries often sell edibles in a variety of dosages, each with a precise amount of THC to ensure a consistent experience. Edibles are most often ingested orally and must pass through the digestive system before the consumer feels any effects. This means edibles can take longer to kick in, but their effects last longer than other consumption methods like smoking, vaping, or dabbing.
Bite-Sized: An Edible History
While it may seem like eating cannabis is a modern invention, the practice actually goes all the way back to our hunter-gatherer days. Experts estimate early human foragers first stumbled upon the wild cannabis plant around 50,000 years ago and quickly recognized its potent capabilities.2 It’s likely they ate it long before they ever started smoking it, with the first evidence of human combustion of cannabis dating back just 2,500 years.3
Interestingly enough, 50,000 years ago coincides with what many anthropologists call “the great leap”; a sudden advancement in our capacity for language and the complexity of our tools, hunting methods, jewelry, and art.4 When we transitioned into agriculture, we brought the cannabis plant with us, and the rest, as they say, is history.
How Do Edibles Work?
When you smoke or vape cannabis products, cannabinoids enter your lungs and are absorbed into the bloodstream.1 This happens pretty immediately, so the effects set in after a few minutes, peak within 10 minutes, and diminish over the next 30-60 minutes.
Marijuana edibles, on the other hand, operate differently; they’re digested in the stomach, metabolized in the liver, and reintroduced into the bloodstream, where their psychoactive qualities finally “activate.” This is why edibles that you swallow, like gummies or brownies, have delayed effects of up to two hours—they need to be digested and metabolized first.5 But the effects from edibles also last longer, around 2-3 hours, because the stomach and liver convert THC into a more potent form known as 11-hydroxy-THC.1
Edibles that stay in your mouth, like lozenges and tinctures, are absorbed into the bloodstream through the thin skin under the tongue (sublingually) or inside the cheek (buccally). Their effects can be felt faster than an edible you eat, but slower than vaping or smoking.1
How Long Does It Take for Marijuanan Edibles to Work?
Cannabis edibles can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to start working. However, this depends on a wide array of factors, including your method of consumption; the edible’s THC potency; what else you ate that day; and your tolerance level. All these variables can make it hard to estimate exactly when and how you’ll feel an edible. We always recommend waiting at least a full hour to feel the effects of an edible, especially if you’re thinking about taking another dose. Start low and slow while you figure out your sweet spot.5
How Much THC is in Edibles?
Edibles purchased at a dispensary come in a variety of THC strengths, ranging from a 1 mg microdose to as high as 100 mg of THC (depending on state limits). The benefit of prepackaged cannabis edibles purchased from a dispensary is the exact dosing; each individual gummy, chocolate, or lozenge is guaranteed to contain the exact same amount of cannabinoids as all the rest in the package. Often, those who prefer to make their edibles at home may experience a bit of a learning curve when first starting out, especially with dosing those initial batches.6 Our guide on cooking with cannabis can help you avoid some of these common pitfalls, and have you whipping up gourmet canna-creations in no time.
How to Read a Cannabis Product Label
Cannabis product labels can be found on the packaging for just about any product you purchase at a dispensary–from flower jars to tincture bottles and bags of infused gummies.
How to Dose Edibles
Finding your ideal THC dosage for edibles can be a bit of trial and error, especially since it’s different for every individual.
Full Spectrum vs Distillate Edibles
When shopping for edibles, there are countless choices--but did you know you can also choose between full spectrum edibles and distillate edibles?
How to Read Edible Packaging Labels
Understanding how much THC is in edibles can get a little confusing if you’re not sure how to read the packaging. The product label for cannabis edibles will list dosages that typically range from 2.5 mg to 10 mg. This number is how much THC is in each serving.7 So if you have a chocolate bar with twelve squares, and each square is a 5 mg serving, that entire chocolate bar has 60 mg of THC in it. You could also have a package of 10 gummies, each with 10 mg of THC, making the package 100 mg total.
Knowing how much THC is in your edible and how that edible’s THC breaks down by serving will help you better dose your edible.7 A new cannabis enthusiast may choose to have a single 5 mg square of chocolate, while a seasoned cannabis connoisseur may take three squares for a 15 mg experience.
Different Types of Edibles
It would be almost impossible to list all the different types of marijuana edibles because of just how many variations have hit the market—and how many more are yet to come. Today’s cannabis shoppers can find everything from cannabis-infused BBQ sauce to dried apple slices.9 That said, the most popular types of edibles at dispensaries fall into one of these eight categories:
Gummies & Chews
Gummy edibles may be the most well-known formation of cannabis edible.1 They come in all different sizes and flavors, offering different CBD and THC percentages. In fact, it’s their versatility that makes gummies the typical go-to product for new cannabis consumers.
Baked Goods
While marijuana brownies are one of the most popular baked edibles, they’re not the only kind. The industry has expanded exponentially when it comes to baked cannabis products, selling cookies, pancake mix, brownies, rice krispie treats, and more.10 You can buy these pre-dosed from your local dispensary or make them at home.
Beverages
Yes, you can drink your cannabis. Cannabis beverages come in all different varieties—from seltzers to teas, juices and more. And if you prefer to make your own drinks, there are many drink mixes and powders that include cannabinoids like THC, letting you create the perfect beverage at home. You may feel the effects of cannabis beverages faster than other edibles because the cannabinoids are made to dissolve in liquid, meaning your body can absorb them quicker.12
Tinctures
A marijuana tincture is made through an extraction process that involves soaking decarboxylated cannabis flower in high-proof alcohol, oil, or glycerin. The resulting liquid, the “tincture,” is typically amber-colored and taken orally, whether by dispensing a few drops under the tongue or swallowing it.13
Lozenges & Mints
Lozenge and mint marijuana edibles are typically smaller and made in lower dosages for discrete microdosing. These products dissolve in your mouth, meaning the cannabinoids are absorbed through the cheek wall or under the tongue. As a result, consumers may feel effects faster than digested edibles.14
Chocolates & Chocolate Bars
Much like the sweet treat we know and love, cannabis-infused chocolates and chocolate bars are a rich and creamy delight. Some cannabis cultivators have even taken to partnering with pastry chefs and bakeries to offer culinary creations that mirror non-infused products. (Just remember to stick to the right dosage to avoid unintentional results!)
Savory Snacks
For those of us who prefer crunchy, salty snacks over sweet treats, today’s edible market has options for all tastebuds. From popcorn, to dip seasoning packets for your favorite chips, to trail mixes, to savory sauces and marinades—every salt-lover can now snack to their heart’s content.16
Pills & Capsules
THC pills are simply edibles in capsule form. A THC pill may contain ground-up, decarboxylated flower; THC distillate; or THC isolate in a capsule. There are also CBD pills available. These pills are swallowed whole and then processed through the digestive system like most other edibles.17 This means the timing of their effects is similar.
Choosing the Right Type of Edible
We always recommend starting low and going slow. Edibles are so popular because they can be so easily customized to your needs. And in today’s cannabis market, if you have a favorite food, you can find it in marijuana edible form.
Your choices are limitless, but if there were to be any deciding factors, they would be how quickly you want to start feeling the effects and whether you have any dietary restrictions. And remember that dispensary budtenders are experts in selecting the right product, so be sure to ask questions.
Edible Storage and Shelf Life
To keep your edibles fresh for as long as possible, you’ll want to limit their exposure to air, heat, and light. This means the ideal edible storage situation is an airtight container somewhere cool and dark. A freezer can be great, but take into consideration what kind of food your edible is; tinctures won’t freeze very well, and neither will popcorn. Even with proper storage, some cannabis enthusiasts claim that the THC in edibles can start to break down after just 3-6 months. Others say it takes at least a year.18 You can refer to the expiration or use-by date printed on your edible’s packaging.
Store-bought edibles last longer than homemade, so be sure to label your own batches with a date when you make them. And because edibles can look like so many popular tasty treats, it’s a good idea to put them in a secure place in your household.
Edible FAQs
There are very few topics that are tastier to talk about than edibles. Here are a few questions our budtenders answer on a day-to-day basis:
Do edibles taste like marijuana?
Many edibles purchased at a dispensary have little-to-no marijuana taste, as they are infused with fruity, sugary, or salty ingredients to mask the bitter flavors of cannabis. However, depending on the product, those herbaceous notes can still shine through. For some cannasseurs, that’s a good thing.
Can I make edibles at home?
Yes, definitely. There are a number of different ways to create edibles. If you prefer treats you pulled fresh from the oven, like cannabis cookies and brownies, check out our guide for baking with cannabis. If you lean more toward candy-like edibles, you’re definitely going to want to try DIY gummies at home.
Can I eat raw marijuana?
You can…but it won’t do much. That’s because raw cannabis flower contains THCA, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, not THC.19 Once heated—or decarboxylated—THCA turns into THC. Edibles you purchase at a dispensary contain THC and are ready to eat. However, if you are making your own edibles, you’ll need to decarboxylate the flower ahead of time.
Can I purchase CBD-only edible products?
Absolutely! State-licensed dispensaries typically offer CBD-isolate products, meaning CBD is the only cannabinoid present. You can also buy full-spectrum CBD products or products that contain a ratio of CBD-to-THC. The budtender can provide you with a list of CBD options available.
How do I find the right edible dosage for me?
Finding the right dosage of edibles is entirely specific to your body, your tolerance level, how much you ate, etc. If you’re new to cannabis, stick with a microdose and adjust from there as you begin to understand how your body reacts.
Buying Marijuana Edibles
With the plethora of options available in today’s cannabis marketplace, it would be pretty hard to walk into a dispensary and not find an edible that suits your taste buds. From sweet and savory to tinctures and cannaoils, the culinary possibilities are endless. If you’re interested in picking out your new favorite edible but aren’t sure where to start, talk to your budtender. With a quick chat, they can understand what you’re looking for and help you choose the right edibles for you.
Sources:
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2. “A global history of cannabis edibles,” Leafly, July 28, 2020, https://www.leafly.com/news/canada/canada-world-history-cannabis-edibles
3. “Earliest evidence for cannabis smoking discovered in ancient tombs,” National Geographic, June 12, 2019, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/earliest-evidence-cannabis-marijuana-smoking-china-tombs
4. “Evolution’s ‘great leap forward’: When did humans cross the intelligence rubicon?” Genetic Literacy Project, November 4, 2020, https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2020/11/04/evolutions-great-leap-forward-when-did-humans-cross-the-intelligence-rubicon
5. “How Long Do Edibles Take to Kick In?” Healthline, February 7, 2023, https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-do-edibles-take-to-kick-in
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8. “Saucy's Southern Shares THC Chicken Wings and Meatball Recipes,” March 20, 2021, https://www.westword.com/marijuana/how-to-make-thc-chicken-wings-and-bbq-meatballs-11923904
9. “We Reviewed the Weirdest Marijuana Edibles,” Men’s Health, June 23, 2017, https://www.menshealth.com/trending-news/a19522434/marijuana-edibles-review/
10. “Different Types of Edibles: Finding Your Favorite at the Dispensary,” NuggMD, August 25, 2024, https://www.nuggmd.com/blog/types-of-edibles
11. “Dietary fats and pharmaceutical lipid excipients increase systemic exposure to orally administered cannabis and cannabis-based medicines,” American Journal of Translational Research, August 15, 2016, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5009397/
12. “Cannabis drinks: How do they compare to alcohol?” Harvard Health Publishing, July 15, 2024, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabis-drinks-how-do-they-compare-to-alcohol-202407153058
13. “Cannabis tinctures 101: What is a THC tincture?” Weedmaps, January 3, 2024, https://weedmaps.com/learn/cannabis-and-your-body/cannabis-tinctures-101-what-is-a-thc-tincture
14. “Marijuana Edibles Fact Sheet” County of Los Angeles Public Health, April 2016, http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/sapc/MDU/DE/MarijuanaEdiblesFactSheet040416.pdf
15. “Chocolate Marijuana Edibles May Be More Potent Than You Think,” Newsweek, September 3, 2019, https://www.newsweek.com/marijuana-edibles-chocolate-potency-testing-1457495
16. “Tired of Weed Gummies? Try These Salty and Savory Edibles,” Westword, March 18, 2024, https://www.westword.com/marijuana/skip-weed-gummies-try-savory-salty-edibles-16117711
17. “What Are THC Pills?” Leafwell, December 12, 2024, https://leafwell.com/blog/thc-pills
18. “The proper way to store cannabis edibles,” CannaConnection, June 9, 2022, https://www.cannaconnection.com/blog/19130-how-to-store-edibles-and-how-long-do-they-stay-potent
19. “What is THCA and what are the benefits of this cannabinoid?” Leafly, September 16, 2022, https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/what-is-thca-and-what-are-the-benefits-of-this-cannabinoid
Recreational cannabis is not available in all states. Cannabis is for medical use only and may only be used by certified patients in Ohio and Pennsylvania. State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and certified patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations.